Pioli admits Milan lacked quality in the Udinese draw

“We wanted to win, it’s a shame,”

Pioli told

.<em>

“We knew that it would be difficult against a team with everyone behind the ball.

“I saw determination and a lack of clarity. There was a lack of quality and rhythm, not anger and determination.

“We start again as always with the next match, each game has its own story.

“On Sunday, we found an opponent who wanted to play, Udinese instead play this type of game.

“We had to get in more duels and the only duel we managed to win in the first half was when [Samu] Castillejo had the chance.”

Pioli admitted Milan missed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Mandzukic on a night that Rafael Leao failed to fill their shoes.

“I always expect a lot from my players

,” Pioli said.

“Rafa has characteristics more suited for attacking spaces.

“When he finds a closed defence, he still doesn’t have the shrewdness to anticipate the defender. “Today we lacked the right characteristics to face this type of match, we lacked the two real strikers in the squad. Leao and [Ante] Rebic have other characteristics.”

Pioli revealed Sandro Tonali’s half-time substitution was a precaution to prevent an injury to the young midfielder.

“Tonali came out as a precaution,”

Pioli continued.

“He felt a slight problem in the flexor.”

On Gianluigi Donnarumma’s critical error, Pioli said:

“We haven’t talked yet, he has saved us many times.

“Now we must try to resume our run. A half positive result, let’s think about the next game.”

Pioli admitted the result couldn’t satisfy Ibrahimovic, who had left his duties in Sanremo to be with the team during the game.

“We didn’t come satisfied out of this game, he’s like everyone else."

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